Budget packs boost for state workers

Republicans said they remain concerned that much of the added state money is being used for employee pay and benefit increases and to expand state programs. Californians in November approved Brown’s ballot initiative to boost the sales tax a quarter cent on the dollar and hike income taxes on the wealthy on a sliding scale. The measure is expected to generate about $6 billion annually.

Yes
18% (40)

No
68% (154)

Too soon to say
14% (31)

225 total votes.

Proposition 30s proponents — the League of Women Voters of California and California Teachers and Law Enforcement Professionals — in arguments during the campaign, stated: “Prop. 30s TOUGH FISCAL CONTROLS insure money is spent ONLY on schools and public safety.”

Brown repeatedly made similar arguments in television ads and in barnstorming the state to build support for his measure.

“Proposition 30 has tough accountability to make sure money goes to the classroom — where it belongs,” he said in one TV spot.

About half of the money is going to schools, as it turns out. Few advocates for the tax increase, if any, highlighted the fact that more education dollars would translate into public-employee raises. In San Diego, the state’s second-largest public school district, salary increases and canceled furlough days are expected to take a significant portion of revenue that city schools expect to receive from the state. The district is also bulking up its human-resources administration staff.

In California, a deferred pay raise negotiated with state workers in 2009 and 2010 is contributing to the increased cost of the workforce.

John Cox, a Rancho Santa Fe businessman who spent more than $100,000 to oppose Proposition 30, said the proposed expiration of furloughs and more money flowing to government employees amounted to a handout to the governor’s political allies. During the campaign, Cox and others warned that not all of the money would go to pay for education and public safety.

“Anybody who thought that there would be anything different from that, I think is probably bordering on naive,” he said.

As part of his budget, Brown proposes to increase state general fund spending by 5 percent — or about $5 billion — over the current fiscal year. Among the increases: $2.7 billion more for schools, $1.33 billion more for universities and colleges, $1.25 billion more for health and human services and $502 million more for legislative, judicial and executive programming.

Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, applauded Brown for proposing increases in per-pupil spending after years of underfunding, She also noted that school districts with a higher share of poor students or students with learning challenges would be in line to receive additional financial support.

“Local flexibility and accountability is increased,” said Atkins, the Assembly majority leader.

Brown characterized his budget plan as austere and said he believes it will put the state on a path to long-term stability.

The governor further noted that general fund spending is lower than in past years. Of course, one way that was achieved was with a shifts of responsibility to local governments for $5.3 billion of public safety and social programs.